After my two lunches with Robert Moss at Melvin’s and Swig and Swine, I continued south on 17 to Bessinger’s, a sprawling place down the road from Swig and Swine. You can’t miss it. Yes, it’s another branch of the Joe Bessinger family. This branch is headed by Thomas and his sons, Tommy and Michael, and they continue the tradition of shoulders and hams cooked … Continue reading Bessinger’s Barbeque, Charleston, South Carolina

Most of the restaurants at which Nancy and I eat while in Marco Island are on the casual side — Dolphin Tiki, Stan’s, Lee Be, Cocomo’s, and the like. We do have a more formal dinner, at least by beach standards at a place like Fin Bistro, Da Vinci, or the Oyster Society, at least once on every trip. The last two trips we’ve gone … Continue reading Arturo’s, Marco Island, Florida

I warned about this before, back in 2019, but soon the world was distracted, as it so often is. What was it, COVID? The Kardashians? Joe Exotic? How soon we forget. But now, it’s time to shake off our complacency and face the recent resurgence of African Swine Flu. As reported in Bloomberg and elsewhere.the fall of pork production, and the threat to our shrinking … Continue reading Just when you thought it was over, a new Pandemic Threatens

The Island Gypsy Cafe is so popular it recalls Yogi Berra’s statement, “It’s so crowded that nobody goes there.” Everybody goes there. The Island Gypsy is a sprawling place, right on the water. It’s on the Isle of Capri just across the bridge from Marco Island, with several seating areas and a walk-up bar that does a land office business. There is always a wait. … Continue reading Island Gypsy Cafe, Isles of Capri, Florida

Remember my initial post on Smokecraft? That’s when I went with Sean Ludwig of NYC BBQ, the definitive guide to barbecue in that metropolis, and The Smoke Sheet, the national guide to barbecue places, trends, and events. We ate everything at Smokecraft that wasn’t tied down and a few things that were. Then we went over to Ruthie’s All Day for another dinner. I was impressed by … Continue reading Smokecraft Modern BBQ, Arlington, Virginia

Today I’m delighted to welcome our Senior Oklahoma Correspondent, the delightful Laura Eddy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. You’ll remember her as the impetus for my Best Places to Eat Near I-40 post, a post that’s still wending its way westward. Broken Arrow lays claim to Warren Spahn, Ernie Childers, Kristin Chenoweth, a whole lot of very nice people, and a Blue Bell Creamery. It sits … Continue reading Smokies Hickory House, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

UPDATE and CORRECTION — Good news! This event will be on May 19, so you have lots of time to plan. There are big doings Friday, May 19. Sometimes the stars align, everything falls into place, and you hit the lottery. This is one of those times. It’s a stellar book event in Ayden, North Carolina, the epicenter of great Eastern North Carolina barbecue. And … Continue reading Save the Date May 19! Head to Ayden for a Great Book Event (And the Best ENC Barbecue)

After a great day at the Everglades Seafood Festival (see here), we all went to the beach and pool for a while before heading out for dinner. Marco was packed. I’ve never seen the beach so crowded, and there was talk of three-hour waits for tables at dinner. We decided to try Dolphin Tiki. For those who haven’t been there, it’s on the water behind … Continue reading Dolphin Tiki Bar and Grill, Marco Island, Florida

Bear with me. Most of the places I review are informal, and I feel free to take unobtrusive photos, and to sit there tapping away on my iPhone so I’ll have notes for my review. At formal places, however, I really hate to do things like take notes and photos, that might disturb other diners. I might as well add that I rely on my … Continue reading Rasika, Penn Quarter, Washington, DC

Our summer DC neighbors, Emily and Doug “the Kansas City Barbecue Maven” Jacobson came over from Lantana and joined us for two nights at our unit at Marriott Crystal Shores. Once we got settled, we trotted over to Deep Lagoon for dinner. Nancy and I had been to Deep Lagoon a couple of times before, and you can see here and here for the general … Continue reading Deep Lagoon, Marco Island, Florida